A simple strategy to identify what makes you happy.

In “Links to Your Happiness“, Helen suggests a strategy for a more enjoyable existence. By following her suggestions, it’s possible to refocus: become more confident and lead a happier, healthier life. Learn about:

• The Happy Book, regularly recording the simple, everyday joys of life
• The importance of colour and texture
• The benefits of a creative space in which to work and relax.
• Synchronicity, and Laughter — the happy healer.

Wrapped around some personal stories, Helen examines happiness – and its antithesis — unhappiness.

Helen feels: “We need to find a means to get off the treadmill of unhappiness and dissatisfaction, currently plaguing our communities. By focusing on past hurts, people become trapped in a time warp: chronically fixated on all the problems, unhappy experiences and traumas, that prevent them from moving ahead. “To be happy, we need to refocus: to appreciate the miniscule, joyful, everyday occurrences that delight us and help develop a positive attitude.”

Helen and her associate’s families and friends have used The Happy Book strategy for many years. It has helped develop positive attitudes; making lives happier, despite all the challenging life situations we face.

Some excerpts from Helen and her friend’s collection of Happy Books, with which readers can identify, include:

• Seeing beautiful blue butterflies flitting around the garden, so carefree.
• Finishing the chores and seeing the house looking sparkling clean.
• Listening to the evening songs of birds, as dusk approaches.
• A fleet of little white yachts, drifting round the lake on a clear day.
• Listening to the sounds of children laughing at play.
• Watching a child skip, because they feel so happy (even better when it’s an adult skipping).

Readers are encouraged to identify and record, daily, happy experiences that bring us joy. Read back through their Happy Book’s pages when “blue days” occur and choose something happy to do.

Helen F. McKay is an author and former art teacher, storyteller and speaker. She has a special interest in helping people of all ages — especially children — to access the links to their happiness. Using story, she offers a simple strategy, to develop a positive approach to life.